CERTIFICATE TOUCHING THE PENAL LAWS. 365 



And I will divide it into two parts, the one, for that 

 that may concern the ease of your people, for with 

 that will I crave leave to begin, as knowing it to be 

 principal in your majesty s intention, and the other 

 for that, that may concern your majesty s benefit. 



Concerning the ease of his majesty s subjects, 

 polled and vexed by common informers. 



THE ABUSES OR INCONVE- 

 NIENCIES. 



1. An informer exhibits 

 an information, and in 

 that one information he 

 will put an hundred se 

 veral subjects of this in 

 formation. Every one 

 shall take out copies, and 

 every one shall put in 

 his several answer. This 

 will cost perhaps an hun 

 dred marks : that done, no 

 further proceeding. But 

 the clerks have their fees, 

 and the informer hath his 

 dividend for bringing the 

 water to the mill. 



It is to be noted, that 

 this vexation is not met 

 with by any statute. For 

 it is no composition, but 



THE REMEDIES BY THE IN 

 DUSTRY OF THE OFFICER. 



I. The officer by his 

 diligence finding this case, 

 is to inform the court 

 thereof, who thereupon 

 may grant good costs 

 against the informer, to 

 every of the subjects 

 vexed : and withal not 

 suffer the same informer 

 to revive his information 

 against any of them ; and 

 lastly, fine him, as for a 

 misdemeanor and abuse 

 of justice : and by that 

 time a few of such ex 

 amples be made, they, 

 will be soon weary of 

 that practice. 



